McGill's boss hits back at Glasgow MSP public bus firm plan
McGill's, one of the Glasgow region's biggest bus firms, is vehemently opposed to the idea.
Sandy Easdale, who owns McGill's with his brother JAmes has written for the Glasgow Times in response to Patrick Harvie's suggestion of publicly owned bus companies.
(Image: newsquest)
Sandy Easdale said: "Let's be blunt. Patrick Harvie's knowledge of transport appears to be restricted to whether or not he needs to fix a puncture on his bike.
"He is also so irresponsible he doesn't feel the need to wear a helmet, a great example to young cyclists everywhere.
"Mr Harvie hates cars, he hates buses. To quote Noel Gallagher, he is 'a man with a fork in a world of soup.'
"Let's get factual. Strathclyde's bus services boast a very high approval rating in Transport Focus's survey — the highest in Scotland and comfortably among the UK's best.
READ NEXT:Patrick Harvie MSP calls for publicly owned bus firm in Glasgow
"Interestingly, the anti-bus ownership clique in Scotland keeps whining on about the great Manchester franchising experiment run by another political egomaniac, Mayor Andy Burnham. Manchester are leagues below us.
"Egged on by activists and highly -paid external consultants who see the opportunity to line their own pockets, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) – which has £180m of Scottish taxpayers' money sitting in its coffers and reaped a staggering £8m in annual interest — plays the major role in this bureaucratic charade that could lead to hyper-expensive franchising.
(Image: newsquest)
"I warned last year that SPT's extensive wish list could cost £400m a year of Scottish taxpayers' money — a figure based on detailed expert analysis shared with McGill's Group. That's almost double the still-growing financial disaster we're seeing in Manchester.
"Not one councillor, MSP, or government minister can now claim ignorance over the true cost of this madness.
"Franchising cheerleaders love to parrot the line that it 'returns control to the public.
READ NEXT: Glasgow's new ship hall opened in honour of woman shipbuilding pioneer
"But let's be clear: McGill's was never some hand-me-down from the council — it was built from the ground up at great cost to the owners.
"McGill's Group has delivered where politicians have long failed: integrating ticketing which reduces costs for passengers, introducing Euro VI buses to Scotland and the first Disability Discrimination Act compliant network in Scotland plus much more.
"A business forged by years of risk and personal sacrifice — by me, my brother James, and ably steered by chairman Ralph Roberts — is now at risk of being confiscated, carved up, and auctioned off to the lowest bidder.
"As James said to me only this morning, 'Why are the government and local councils even contemplating this horrendous expenditure when it has just been revealed that our cancer treatment waiting times are the worst in our country's history?'
"My final word to Mr Harvie – get on your bike son and leave transport to the adults."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
12 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Calls for Scotland-wide seagull summit as fears grow someone could be 'killed' in bird attack
Douglas Ross warned that Scots risk losing their lives over the 'growing problem' of 'nuisance' gulls. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A Scotland-wide summit to tackle 'deadly' seagulls must be held amid warnings someone could be killed, the Scottish Parliament has heard. Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, who called a debate on the issue at Holyrood, warned that Scots risk losing their lives over the 'growing problem' of 'nuisance' gulls. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Fellow Tory Rachael Hamilton said a nationwide summit must be held to tackle the issue as she warned that Scots are being left 'scared, attacked and traumatised'. Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie had already promised to hold a seagull summit in the north of Scotland but Ms Hamilton, who represents the south of Scotland, said a summit for the whole country is needed. The Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP said 'aggressive' seagulls had attacked seven children in one month last year in Eyemouth, with one girl 'left with gashes to her scalp and blood running down her face'. She called for action on the 'growing nuisance', which she said posed a health and safety risk to residents. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Despite rising complaints from locals, though, she said NatureScot's licensing system to control the birds was bureaucratic and failing to solve the issue. A Scotland-wide summit to tackle 'deadly' seagulls must be held amid warnings someone could be killed, the Scottish Parliament has heard. Picture: Richard Ponter 'I think we need a summit,' she said. 'I don't think we just need a summit in Moray, we need a summit across Scotland.' Ms Hamilton said the debate was 'important' as she criticised what she said was a lack of action from the Scottish Government. She told MSPs: 'Absolutely nothing is getting done. I don't believe the Government are listening to us because the issue continues in my constituency in Eyemouth. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Aggressive seagull behaviour continues to cause a real concern amongst businesses, amongst tourists, amongst everybody that has anything to do along the harbour. 'And it is not just a seasonal nuisance. It is a serious, growing health risk. It's a safety risk, particularly for children and elderly residents.' She said one business owner had described the situation as 'people being scared, attacked and traumatised'. MSPs debated the issue on Thursday, the last day of Parliament before the summer recess. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Opening the debate, Mr Ross said people often 'smirk' when hearing that the Scottish Parliament is debating the problems around gulls – but he said it was an 'extremely serious issue'. The Highlands and Islands MSP said constituents have told him they are worried about leaving their homes for fear of being 'divebombed', while others have suffered mental health issues thanks to a lack of sleep caused by noisy gulls. One resident, he said, is spending £2,000 a year to remove nests from her home. 'People should not have to keep living in fear of being divebombed by these menaces on a daily basis, and are crying out for action,' he said. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He accused NatureScot of having a conflict of interest as the body responsible for both the licensing to control birds and to conserve them. He went on: 'The behaviour of the SNP's quango NatureScot confirms they have lost the plot. They have told people to protect themselves with umbrellas and even suggested dogs as a deterrent. 'The time has come to break up NatureScot. There is a clear conflict of interest in the fact they are responsible for considering licences to control gulls but are also responsible for protecting bird numbers. 'If the minister cannot see that is a problem, then he is divorced from reality. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The strength of the cross-party support in my debate today should be all the SNP government need to finally act before we see someone killed due to being attacked by a gull.' Jim Fairlie, the minister for agriculture, said that while people often 'chuckle and laugh' about the issue of gulls, he warned it was 'deadly serious'. But he told MSPs that he could not intervene on NatureScot to change the licensing system because it would leave the Government open to judicial review. He urged people to stop feeding the birds, which he said was the primary reason for the issue. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The birds have been an increasingly common site in urban areas as they leave their natural habitat in search of food. He said: 'We have to work out what it is that is causing the issue in the first place. 'We are feeding them – it is quite simple. We are creating habitat, and we are creating feeding stations which are allowing gulls to inhabit our space, and that is now quite clearly coming into conflict.' He added: 'We have got to try and limit food waste and public littering. We have got to take away these feeding opportunities.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad SNP MSP Christine Grahame warned against 'demonising' gulls, which she described as 'clever, adaptable' animals. 'Language such as 'mugging', 'menace' can be applied to us, our fellow counterparts,' she said, 'but it is not appropriate to demonise an animal simply looking for food. 'Anthropomorphising is tempting but not helpful.'
Daily Record
13 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Stirling to launch 'tourist tax' consultation next month following council approval
Stirling's proposed scheme would impose a five-per cent levy, or 'tourist tax', on overnight stays in all forms of paid visitor accommodation within the council's jurisdiction. Stirling Council has approved a draft 'tourist tax' scheme for the area to go to a public consultation on the proposals. The consultation is due to get underway next month. Using new powers granted by the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024, Stirling Council's scheme would see a five-per cent levy, or 'tourist tax', slapped on overnight stays across all forms of paid visitor accommodation in the council area. Over and above the statutory exemptions, the draft scheme also proposes several exemptions to paying the tax, including to Stirling residents, those in the receipt of carers' allowance and to visitors staying more than seven nights through reimbursement. The council says that the draft scheme aims to ensure that Stirling continues to attract visitors all year-round while spreading the benefits more evenly across the region as well as minimising the impact on communities and the environment. In December last year, the local authority committed to a year-long programme of engagement and consultation to explore the potential introduction of a visitor levy. The first phase of the engagement ran from March to May this year and received 671 responses via online and paper surveys, with additional feedback gathered through a number of community meetings, drop-in events and direct business engagement. The council said that initial findings showed broad support among residents (57 per cent) and community groups (75 per cent). The early engagement revealed that the most popular suggested levy rate was one of five-per cent, aligning with the proposed rate from most other Scottish local authorities who are consulting on a similar levy. Priorities for investment included public infrastructure, sustainable transport, toilets and visitor facilities, followed by destination marketing and events. Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey said: 'Tourism is one of Stirling's key economic strengths with visitors from across the globe attracted to our world-class built heritage, stunning scenery, outdoor experiences, diverse and vibrant events and much more. 'This draft scheme is about reinvesting in what makes Stirling special so we can continue to grow this key part of the regional economy and maximise the potential benefits of a levy for everyone. It aims to ensure that visitors continue to have a high-quality experience while helping us protect the places and communities they come to enjoy. 'The proposals in the scheme have been shaped by the meaningful and constructive responses we received during the initial engagement exercise, such as the exemption for Stirling Council residents. I would like to thank all those who provided feedback – and the conversation on this important matter continues. 'When the formal consultation launches on 13 July we want to hear from everyone – accommodation providers, community groups, local businesses, and residents – to make sure the final version of scheme works for all of Stirling.' In May this year, the Stirling Observer told how a hospitality trade body warned that the proposed 'tourist tax' could 'harm tourism' in the region. UK Hospitality Scotland has urged the council to carry out a full economic impact assessment on the impacts of the proposed visitor levy. UK Hospitality Scotland Executive Director, Leon Thompson, said: 'Hospitality and tourism is so important to Stirling, as a major employer and driver of the local economy. 'That economic and social contribution to our communities must be protected and we fundamentally believe that introducing a visitor levy could harm tourism in Stirling. 'That's why Stirling Council should carry out a detailed impact assessment to understand the potential impact on visitors, tourism and the economy, before it embarks further on potentially introducing a levy. 'We're keen to work with the council so they understand the perspective of accommodation businesses and I look forward to engaging further with them during this process.' That came after the Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers (ASSC) said last December that the introduction of a visitor levy scheme on tourists in Stirling would mean that small businesses could become 'de-facto unpaid tax collectors'. ASSC chief executive, Fiona Campbell said the implementation of the tax must 'be done right'. In April this year, a campaign group against the proposals warned the move could see the city's hospitality sector left with high levels of cancellations. The Back British Holidays campaign warned that as much as 21-per cent of potential holidaymakers could cancel their trip over the additional tariff. Additionally, they said another 21-per cent would reduce their spending while on holiday. The group called on policymakers to reconsider the proposals over fears levies could significantly harm local tourism economies costing local businesses millions in lost revenue. The council previously estimated that a five per cent levy could generate as much as £7.5million. The City of Edinburgh Council has already agreed to introduce a visitor levy, and a number of local authorities in Scotland are also consulting on introducing a levy, including Glasgow and Argyll and Bute. If approved, the levy would take effect from June 1, 2027, applying to bookings made on or after January 1 that same year.
Daily Record
13 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Calls for summit to tackle 'deadly' seagulls amid fears someone could be killed
MSPs warned that Scots risk losing their lives over the 'growing problem' of 'nuisance' gulls during a debate at Holyrood on Thursday. A Scotland-wide summit to tackle 'deadly' seagulls must be held amid warnings someone could be killed, the Scottish Parliament has heard. MSPs warned that Scots risk losing their lives over the 'growing problem' of 'nuisance' gulls during a debate at Holyrood on Thursday. One MSP said Scots are being left 'scared, attacked and traumatised'. But another said we should not "demonise" the animals. SNP Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie had already promised to hold a seagull summit in the north of Scotland but was urged to extend it to the whole of the country. Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross - who called the debate - said lives were at risk. Fellow Tory Rachael Hamilton said 'aggressive' seagulls had attacked seven children in one month last year in Eyemouth, with one girl 'left with gashes to her scalp and blood running down her face'. The Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP called for action on the 'growing nuisance', which she said posed a health and safety risk to residents. Despite rising complaints from locals, though, she said NatureScot's licensing system to control the birds was bureaucratic and failing to solve the issue. 'I think we need a summit,' she said. 'I don't think we just need a summit in Moray, we need a summit across Scotland.' Hamilton said the debate was 'important' as she criticised what she said was a lack of action from the Scottish Government. She told MSPs: 'Absolutely nothing is getting done. I don't believe the Government are listening to us because the issue continues in my constituency in Eyemouth. 'Aggressive seagull behaviour continues to cause a real concern amongst businesses, amongst tourists, amongst everybody that has anything to do along the harbour. 'And it is not just a seasonal nuisance. It is a serious, growing health risk. It's a safety risk, particularly for children and elderly residents.' She said one business owner had described the situation as 'people being scared, attacked and traumatised'. Opening the debate, Ross said people often 'smirk' when hearing that the Scottish Parliament is debating the problems around gulls – but he said it was an 'extremely serious issue'. The Highlands and Islands MSP said constituents have told him they are worried about leaving their homes for fear of being 'divebombed', while others have suffered mental health issues thanks to a lack of sleep caused by noisy gulls. One resident, he said, is spending £2,000 a year to remove nests from her home. 'People should not have to keep living in fear of being divebombed by these menaces on a daily basis, and are crying out for action,' he said. He accused NatureScot of having a conflict of interest as the body responsible for both the licensing to control birds and to conserve them. He went on: 'The behaviour of the SNP's quango NatureScot confirms they have lost the plot. They have told people to protect themselves with umbrellas and even suggested dogs as a deterrent. 'The time has come to break up NatureScot. There is a clear conflict of interest in the fact they are responsible for considering licences to control gulls but are also responsible for protecting bird numbers. 'If the minister cannot see that is a problem, then he is divorced from reality. 'The strength of the cross-party support in my debate today should be all the SNP government need to finally act before we see someone killed due to being attacked by a gull.' Agriculture minister Fairlie said that while people often 'chuckle and laugh' about the issue of gulls, he warned it was 'deadly serious'. But he told MSPs that he could not intervene on NatureScot to change the licensing system because it would leave the Government open to judicial review. He urged people to stop feeding the birds, which he said was the primary reason for the issue. The birds have been an increasingly common site in urban areas as they leave their natural habitat in search of food. He said: 'We have to work out what it is that is causing the issue in the first place. 'We are feeding them – it is quite simple. We are creating habitat, and we are creating feeding stations which are allowing gulls to inhabit our space, and that is now quite clearly coming into conflict.' He added: 'We have got to try and limit food waste and public littering. We have got to take away these feeding opportunities.' SNP MSP Christine Grahame warned against 'demonising' gulls, which she described as 'clever, adaptable' animals. 'Language such as 'mugging', 'menace' can be applied to us, our fellow counterparts,' she said, 'but it is not appropriate to demonise an animal simply looking for food. 'Anthropomorphising is tempting but not helpful.' NatureScot has been approached for comment.
